Environment Officer (EOA) - 13172

We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment. Our work helps to ensure people can enjoy the water environment through angling and navigation. We look after land quality, promote sustainable land management and help protect and enhance wildlife habitats. We also work closely with businesses to help them comply with environmental regulations.

Joining one of our customer facing frontline teams, you’ll help create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment. You’ll tackle everything from legal and illegal waste sites, rivers and waterways across a range of urban and rural sites, all of which may impact the local environment.

You’ll be responsible for regulating a range of activities to ensure they are carried out without polluting the environment or causing harm to people. Sometimes we have to take tough action to achieve these aims and occasionally you will need to investigate environmental offences. You may also be required on occasion to give evidence in a court of law.

The job is extremely varied, vital and at times challenging. Sometimes you’ll need to work with business customers to help them operate legally; while at other times you will be enforcing the law and making sure operators improve their performance.

You will be based in one of our Waste Teams in Hertfordshire and North London (HNL). Our teams focus on operators in the waste sector. Our priorities include achieving compliance at poor performing sites, reducing high risk fire sites and tackling waste crime. We use a range of regulatory tools, with a strong emphasis on enforcement, to achieve outcomes.

All teams have responsibilities that involve working outdoors and indoors. They also respond to environmental incidents.

You’ll ideally have some exposure to a regulatory, enforcement or customer-focused role. Perhaps you've inspected sites, handled complaints or been in a role where you’ve had difficult conversations with people. Whatever your background, you'll be interested in the environmental sector and be willing to enforce environmental regulations, even if this means sometimes dealing with confrontational situations.

Whilst relevant work experience would be an advantage, it’s less important to us than your ability to demonstrate the key skills we’re looking for:

-Organised
-Handle confrontational people
-Confident and assertive
-Adapt your communication style
-Integrate into a team
-IT literate
-Record information correctly
-Enjoy working both outdoors and in an office environment
-Passionate about the environment and willing to learn about environmental regulation and enforcement

Please do not be put off applying if you don’t have a degree or other qualification because we will provide you with all the training you’ll need.

Please download the attached candidate pack for more information.

For further information please contact andy.white@environment-agency.gov.uk

Your salary will increase to £21,677 once you’ve completed the induction stage. You’ll receive further increases to £22,259 then £27,572 as you progress through the development programme. This normally takes between 24 to 36 months.

The role may require participation in standby and call out rosters. It also requires regular site visits, so a full UK driving licence is necessary. A lease car will be provided as part of the benefits package.

We’re committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve and welcome applications from people from all walks of life.

Interviews will be held between 6th and 9th January 2020.

Describe a time that you persuaded someone to do something that they didn’t initially want to do. Describe the process you went through and how you sought to understand the other person’s point of view.

Please note your answer will be used for shortlisting purposes.

Describe how you have used a range of communication methods to present your views in a convincing way.
• Tell us about the audiences.
• What the messages were.
• How you communicated the messages
• What you took into consideration to ensure each message landed well?
• How did you alter your communication style to suit each audience?

Please note your answer will be used for shortlisting purposes.

Describe how you have rectified a potentially harmful situation to keep yourself and others safe.
• What was the situation and how did you correct it?
• What other options did you consider at the time?
• Explain your options and thought processes.

Please note your answer will be used for shortlisting purposes.

Full UK Driving Licence